Diversions
Published March 23rd, 2008
Art & Antiques
Dr. Lori
Are you Prepared for your Yard Sale?
Every Spring, many of our thoughts turn to the time honored outdoor shopping experience known as the yard sale. Last year, I contributed to the independent film, “Yard Sale” by Robert Emmons, a Rutgers University professor and filmmaker. In the film, I offered some tips for shoppers and sellers and commented on the all too real possibility of a yard sale host losing serious money.
Major Losses
Yard sales have been the site of many losses, even big ones! For instance, the $425,000 Martin Johnson Heade oil painting that sold at a California yard sale for $18 and the $225,000 Chippendale table that was purchased at a New Jersey yard sale for $35 are just two good examples of the rarely-exposed fact that yard sales can cost you big bucks when you are trying to make a little extra money. Most yard sale hosts don’t know what valuables they are putting out on the front lawn.
To Keep or to Clear Out
First, find out what you can keep and what you need to clear out. While many people say that you can make some extra cash hosting a yard sales, reports show that once it is all said and done, most yard sales hosts lose money in the time and labor that you put in to organize the sale and in the low prices received for items.
If you don’t know that you are offering grandma’s 1940s cookie jar worth $250 for $2 because you think it’s ugly, then you have just set yourself up for a loss. When that auction house runner whose job it is to find more objects for an auction house’s sale, that antique dealer or a reseller who wants to increase his inventory for pennies, or that soccer mom who is just happy to shop uninterrupted buys that cookie jar from your yard sale, they are pleased. But, you, the host just had a yard sale loss of $248. In that single transaction, most yard sale hosts would have lost their entire profit margin from a full weekend of schlepping, cleaning, tagging, advertising, and selling items at your yard sale.
Insurance Too
In addition to overlooked valuables, another aspect of your occasional yard sale business is liability insurance. Some insurance agents warn that if there is an accident on your property during a yard sale, you could be liable. A study conducted by the Information Institute warns that most homeowners don’t have enough coverage for such incidents. So, check your policy or consult with an insurance expert. And, if you plan to have a neighborhood yard sale, double check with your municipality. You may need to obtain specific permits before you start setting up those card tables.
At a yard sale, remember, don’t let it go before you know what it’s worth!
As seen on Comcast CN8 TV, Dr. Lori is an art and antiques appraiser with the Ph.D. in art history. Visit www.DrLoriV.com or call (888) 431-1010.
Wine
Monty & Sara Preiser
WINE:
Tom Johnson of Silver Oaks Winery, Napa Valley pouring for guests at the Bacchanal & Auction
Boca Bacchanal Revels in Good Wines
If you are a wine lover you no doubt know about, and perhaps attended part of, the recent Boca Bacchanal festival. It is, like many of its companion wine and food events nationwide, a multi-day happening that includes private dinners with nationally renowned chefs and vintners, a high end Gala evening auction, and a public tasting of wines from around the world, served with tid-bits from the best local restaurants. And as it also is with other events, the cost to attend is not inexpensive, yet there is always a charity that benefits from the patrons’ generosity.
In its sixth year (already), Bacchanal seems to have found its stride winewise. The generosity in terms of time and money donated by National Distributors - now Republic National Distributors - is extraordinary. Director of Fine Wines, and Bacchanal coordinator, Chris Kearney, is able to bring to ticket purchasers the opportunity to taste some truly fine products from almost every corner of the wine producing world.
One of the highlights of these events for us is the Friday private dinner with one nationally recognized chef and one terrific winery. A number of these are held around the area, and the crowd is usually limited to about 30 people at each so the chef can work his or her magic while the winery pours some of its hidden treasures. The most expensive ticket of the event, here, as at every food and wine festival, one has to decide if the benefiting charity is worth the dollars spent to enable you to enjoy a dinner of this magnitude. This year we said yes, and were treated to the wonderful food of Napa Chef Pilar Sanchez, and the stellar wines of Swanson Vineyards, represented that night by super winemaker Chris Phelps.
Fortunately, at the Gala auction dinner the following night we were able to taste the wines of the wonderful vintners who were at other locations while we enjoyed Swanson, and on Sunday’s Grand Tasting we sampled about 100 more entries. Fine selections from wineries such as Truchard, Silver Oak, Van Duzer, Jacuzzi, Stratton Lumis, Justin, and of course Swanson, were all waiting to be savored. This highly anticipated Grand Tasting was a lovely event, though quite crowded. The organizers know about the good and the bad, so expect the Grand Tasting and all the wine opportunities to be even better in 2009.
Travel
Scott Grody
Honeymoons for the Ultra Rich
You may not lay claim to Google co-founder Larry Page's fortune, but if you're willing to open your wallet, you can say "I do" like the 34-year-old tech titan.
Just head to Necker Island, where Page married 27-year-old Stanford Ph.D. candidate Lucy Southworth. The 74-acre island in the British Virgin Islands is owned by billionaire Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group.
Guests can stay in the eight-bedroom Great House or in one of the five smaller Bali houses that dot the island; together they sleep 28 guests. The entire island can be reserved for about $47,000 a day, with a five-day minimum stay. You may choose between an informal beachfront wedding or a more formal ceremony in the main lounge.
Included in the package are such amenities as a couple's massage, access to water sports, lessons with a professional tennis pro, all meals and drinks, and boat transfers from Virgin Gorda or Beef Island (Tortola) airports.
One & Only Reethi Rah Resort, Maldives
Those willing to shell out $1.2 million for three days can rent this 109-acre island in the North Male' Atoll. More than 200 guests can stay in one of 130 beach, over-water or duplex villas. Reethi Rah's Sunset Wedding Package includes such services as a custom wedding cake, a candlelit dinner with personalized menu in a private villa or on the beach, and music arranged by the resident DJ.
Turtle Island, Fiji
This 500-acre spot settled in the middle of the Pacific accommodates 28 guests. You'll spend at least $275,000 to rent out the eco-friendly island for a week, with an extra $2,500 for the "Grand Beach Wedding" and $1,500 for the "Private Beach Wedding." Both packages include hair and makeup, and meals including a beach-side wedding day reception.
Château of Vaux le Vicomte, France
Set on 100 acres and created by Versailles designer Andre Le Notre, this two-winged manse features a Grand Salon that accommodates 400 guests for a sit-down wedding dinner and 800 for cocktails. It costs 39,205 euros ($57,893) a night to rent, catering not included. The drawback? There are no overnight accommodations on the property, but Paris is just a 34-mile limo ride away!
The Rome Cavalieri Hilton, Rome
This five-star hotel's $1 million wedding package includes bands designed by jewelry stylist Fabio Salini; Pratesi monogrammed linens, slippers and robes; and a wedding cake created by Heinz Beck, Rome's only three-star Michelin chef. Fifty executive rooms are reserved for guests, and the bridal couple will receive four nights' accommodations in the 2,690-square-foot penthouse.
Celebrations
Cassin Wedding
Image: Erica & Brad Cassin
Following the romantic proposal atop Huana Picchu a year ago, their wedding day finally arrived. Erica Montana and Brad Cassin were married in Boca Raton on February 9. The ceremony was followed by a dinner reception at Mizner Country Club, with dancing throughout the evening with the rock and roll sound of The Feeder Band.
Erica wore an ivory La Sposa lace gown, with a cathedral candlelight veil. As she, on the arm of her father, walked down the aisle of St Joan of Arc Catholic Church, she carried a bouquet of white cymbidium orchids, with roses, hanging bear grass and dendro white orchid dangles.
Her Matron of Honor was her sister, Monica Vila, who along with her bridesmaids, Melissa Goldstein, Lisa Beshara and Jen Hayhurst wore navy Badgley Mischka floor length gowns with cascade sleeves. They carried bouquets of fuchsia roses bound in navy ribbons.
The Best Man was Brad’s father, Dr. Bader Cassin, from Grosse Pointe, Michigan. His Groomsmen were Jeffrey Sharp, Donald Peterson and Lee Bowman.
Erica and Brad enjoyed a two week honeymoon on the French Polynesian Islands of Moorea and Bora Bora.
They will reside in their Delray Beach home.
Submitted by mother-of-the bride, Valerie Montana.
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